A/N: This is my very first Carpathian fanfic, and I've been dying to write one since I first read the series. I love the series, and I couldn't help myself once I read that Raven was pregnant (again). So, here is a story for her son, Kyan Dubrinsky.

Unfortunately, I don't own the Dark Series, only Analiese and Kyan. Please don't sue me for my books. I love them so.

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Chapter 1

Analiese Turner tucked her mother's letter into the front pocket of her suitcase as she looked around the small room she had rented. The inn was small, with the kind of homely feel one would find in a close knit town, but Analiese liked it.

Places like this didn't exist back in the States. And Slavica the owner was so welcoming. She'd made Ana feel like she'd come home.

As she pushed her suitcase under the bed, Analiese sat down with a tired sigh. Her flight had been long and exhausting but she was finally here. The late afternoon sun filtered in through her open window and cut persistently across her face, making her want to lay back and sleep. However the sight of the forests of the Carpathian Mountains filled her with an urge to go out and run wild. She'd felt it before, but never so strongly.

When she breathed in the air she felt invigorated and renewed. It was all so fresh compared to her home back in the States.

Turning from the tempting sight the forests made, Analiese stood from the bed and left her room. She made her way down the stairs and into the dining room that was half full with, what Analiese assumed to be, various travelers. There were people from all different countries seated at the tables but Analiese claimed a seat more isolated from the others.

She wasn't a shy person by nature, but she preferred to be by herself. She watched curiously as Slavica entered with a man in tow.

Immediately, a shiver went down Analiese's spine. Whoever he was, he made her instincts buzz with warning. He was powerful, and he was dangerous.

Her eyes remained glued to the newcomer until he looked over at her. She held his slashing silver gaze for a few moments before she blinked and looked down at her table. She could feel him watching her for a few moments longer until he too looked away.

When she felt his eyes no longer on her, Analiese glanced up to see him sit with a lone man at one of the tables.

Gregori's senses remained flared as he sat across from Theodore Koine. The Carpathian had arranged this meeting to inform him of his progress on tracking down one of the rogue master vampires who had come to their attention as of late.

But now, his attention was split between the male and the woman sitting on the other side of the room. He could feel the vampire taint within her from the moment he entered the inn. Which meant the crazed vampire hunting society wouldn't be far either.

With that thought in mind, he arranged with Slavica to have two plates brought for him and Theodore. Although it was unnecessary for them to eat human food, keeping up the appearance of their humanity was. At least, it would be until he could meet this young woman who was their spy.

You feel it too Gregori? He heard the other Carpathian's voice, flowing like silk, in his mind. He gave a subtle nod.

Yes, he replied. The butchers have reared their heads once again. The woman radiates the taint of a vampire.

I feel it too. Perhaps we should visit her later this night. Gregori inclined his head in agreement. If this woman was indeed involved with the society of butchers that hunted them, she would need to be taken care of. After they had extracted any useful information from her of course.

How goes your lifemate? A smile hovered on the edge of Gregori's lips as he thought of his mate. Savannah was as lively and troublesome as the day he had claimed her, but he wouldn't have her any other way. She really was the light to his darkness. And she had been giving him hell over their daughters future. At the very least, Anya and Anastacia would know they were loved.

She is as foolish as always, he replied, however his words lacked any real bite. Savannah was the light to his darkness, even if she did try his patience sometimes. The thought of his lifemate brought Gregori's attention back to the woman in the corner. If a vampire had tainted her, she may be beyond even his help and would have to be destroyed. Killing was a necessity to protect their kind from these butchers and Gregori had never felt any remorse for fulfilling that particular duty. He would protect his lifemate and his prince from any and all threats. That included from a woman.

Theodore shifted in his seat, a mere rippling of his muscles, but it alerted Gregori to the fact the woman was leaving the dining hall. He followed her progress quickly through the inn and upstairs to her room. No doubt to alert her comrades. The beast within Gregori fought for release. No-one would attempt to hunt his lifemate, or his prince, and live.

What troubles you Gregori? Mikhail's voice entered his mind with the skilled ease they had both come to learn over their centuries together. He sensed the prince had only just risen.

The taint of a vampire in one of the humans Gregori replied emotionlessly. The butchers have returned to trouble our kind once more. Mikhail was silent and Gregori knew he was processing his words. The human society of butchers had cost them too many Carpathian's over the years, man, woman and child.

I will come and speak with whoever it is you suspect Mikhail replied finally. Kyan will be accompanying me. Gregori wanted to insist against the prince and his son's presence in the inn, but he could recognize the tone in Mikhail's voice that said he didn't want to be questioned. And he had every right to an audience with this human. She had led those killers here and had no doubt been keeping an eye out for any of them.

Theodore and I will prepare for your arrival Gregori said eventually, standing from his chair. Theodore stood as well, already aware of Gregori's intent. He had listened to the conversation taking place between the prince and his second in command. Together, they left the dining hall and the inn. Once they were outside in the night, and away from prying human eyes, they transformed into owls and flew to the balcony of the room their prey was staying in.

Both could hear the beating of her heart. Frantic as it seemed to them, it wasn't from fear. It just appeared to be how her heart beat. Theodore frowned for a moment as he watched the girl through the windows. She seemed so familiar to him, yet he knew he had never seen her face before. His sight was colorless, and his emotions gone, but his memory was as sharp as ever.

Gregori took the lead and entered the room first through the still open window. The girl spun around as he transformed and her eyes widened exponentially. Theodore was soon to follow suit.

"Wh-Who are you?" Analiese demanded, fear making her step back from the two men who had materialized in her room. Her door was locked, so how had they gotten in? They flew in the window Annie, you just saw it yourself. She still refused to believe it though.

Gregori reached out with his mind to calm the woman; however he felt her resistance at his touch, as unconscious as it was. She seemed afraid, but that was all. He felt no urge to attack, or to kill as most other society members possessed when touched by a vampire. After a surprising struggle, he finally seized control of her mind.

"What is your name?" he asked, his voice quiet yet as hard as steel. Analiese replied without hesitation.

"Analiese Turner." Gregori didn't recognize the name. Neither did Theodore. It hadn't been brought to their attention by anyone. Perhaps she was just an unfortunate woman who had gotten involved with the wrong man. Still, her presence here couldn't be ignored. Gregori held out his hand and Analiese moved towards him, unable to stop herself. He was controlling her somehow and she couldn't fight him. When she was within arm's reach, the man pulled her closer and bent his head to her neck. Without her consent, her head tilted to give him better access.

As Gregori felt his fangs lengthen, he sensed Mikhail and Kyan Dubrinsky enter the room using the same means himself and Theodore had employed a few moments ago. Gregori's teeth pierced just over her pulse as they transformed. The woman let out a soft cry of pain, which surprised Gregori, but he didn't release her. Hot, rich blood poured into his mouth and he swallowed. Immediately, he knew something was wrong.

Mikhail watched as Gregori took the woman's blood. Feeding from a woman wasn't ideal, but they would need to be able to keep track of her if Gregori's suspicions turned out to be correct. He glanced at his son who stood beside him and he frowned.

Kyan clutched at his chest, and the end of the bed, as he burned with raw, unchecked rage. How dare Gregori feed from her. Her, with the white blonde hair that stood out sharply against the bleakness of his world. The feeling overwhelmed him. His hand clenched on the wood and an ominous cracking could be heard as the bed gave way.

He watched as Gregori raised his head sharply and released the woman unexpectedly. The thud that echoed through the room, and knocked her out, was the straw that broke the camel's back. Kyan launched himself at Gregori.

As the sudden weight of his pupil slammed into him, Gregori was sent into the nearby wall, smashing through it into the hallway outside. Both Mikhail and Theodore stood in shock as they watched Kyan attack Gregori. Gregori however didn't fight back. He lay still, knowing what had caused this reaction, although he wasn't happy about it. Kyan pushed away from Gregori once he was satisfied he wouldn't fight him, and approached his lifemate. Kyan drew the woman close as colors exploded into his bleak world. The white of her hair, the red of the carpet, he could see them all.

Gregori was silent for a moment and he glanced at Kyan. The boy had never attacked Gregori in his life, not even when he had been training him. He watched as he cradled the woman.

A sane Carpathian male wouldn't attack another unless their lifemate was threatened. Kyan was as sane as his father was prince. The beast in him wanted blood, but Gregori remained still. Mikhail watched his friend for a moment before he turned his attention to his son, who was looking at the woman's face.

Kyan ran a hand through her silky hair to try and get a reaction. Nothing. Theodore disappeared from the room to deal with the witnesses, but Kyan didn't notice. His chest was tight with worry, fear and simmering anger as he lowered his head to the woman's neck. With a swipe of his tongue, he closed the puncture wound and cleared away the small trail of blood. He too, noticed something was wrong with her blood. As Kyan struggled to get these new feelings under control, he watched his lifemate's face anxiously. She was out cold and he didn't like it one little bit.

Someone touched his shoulder and he snarled unexpectedly until he realized it was his father. "Come Kyan," Mikhail said, ignoring the outburst. New feelings and emotions had made himself act strangely when he'd found Raven so he could understand his son's actions. "We should leave this place. We can return home with the woman," he added, not wanting to risk separating them for now. However, they did need to move. Theodore had dealt with the witnesses and the damage done, but if Gregori was correct about this woman being part of the society, no doubt they would come snooping around when they heard of this. It was safer in the forests.

Kyan stood without a word, still cradling his lifemate. He curled her close to his chest as he approached the balcony and took to the skies. Mikhail and Gregori were close behind.

I shall remain behind to ensure no-one remembers this night Theodore communicated silently to Gregori and the prince.

Many thanks brother Mikhail replied, streaking through the air after his son. Gregori was by his side, his mind troubled and wary. This woman was still under their suspicion. To have her prove to be Kyan's lifemate could present problems if their suspicions turned out to be correct.

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